Table-topping River Plate plays host to an Instituto side 20 places below them in the Argentine Primera Division table at Estadio Monumental on Thursday.
The home side are guaranteed to hold on to their position regardless of the outcome, while the visiting side could fall in the table if they lose and results elsewhere go against them.
Match preview
Martin Demichelis's team suffered a 2-1 loss to second-placed Talleres, but the response since that defeat in mid-May has been commendable.
River have picked up 10 points from an available 12 since the reverse, and they go into this week's fixture at El Monumental looking to make it 13 from 15.
An impressive home record has aided the league leader's rise to the top of the standings, with seven wins from eight this term underlining their dominance.
With 15 goals scored and only four conceded on their turf, Los Millonarios should be confident heading into Thursday's encounter with the competition's 21st-placed team.
Even if the game would be River's first in the league since June 12, Demichelis and his troops should not be impaired by lack of recent practice.
Instituto probably needed a breather after a four-game run without a league win, with two defeats and as many draws seeing them fall to 21st.
Lucas Bovaglio's side — competing in the top flight for the first time since the 2000s — have not won a top-flight game since defeating Colon 1-0 in the middle of May, securing their fifth win of the campaign.
That number could become six if they pick up a shock victory at the River Plate Stadium, an unlikely outcome due to River's home form and La Gloria's wretched road form — the visitors have claimed just two victories all season, losing five consecutive matches away from home.
They have conceded 17 times on their travels — no other side has let in more away goals — leaving Bovaglio's team facing an uphill task on Thursday.
Instituto could drop to 23rd place if they lose to River and Atletico Tucuman and either Independiente or Union win in this round.
Team News
Bruno Zuculini and David Martinez have been absent since February, and the River Plate pair are not expected back on Thursday.
Knee injuries to Enzo Diaz and Enzo Perez occurred in May, ruling both out of Instituto's visit.
Nicolas de la Cruz was forced off just after the hour in River's 4-1 win over Banfield on June 12, making him doubtful for this week's fixture.
Instituto are expected to line up in a 4-1-3-2, effectively matching River's usual approach from the off.
Franco Watson for Brahian Cuello in La Gloria's last game — a 1-1 draw with Racing Club — was Dabove's only change from the 4-1 defeat by Rosario Central on June 3, and the manager is not expected to make a plethora of alterations to his team.
River Plate possible starting lineup:
Armani; Herrera, Rojas, Pirez, Gomez; Aliendro; Simon, Fernandez, Barco; Solari, Beltran
Instituto possible starting lineup:
Roffo; Franco, Mosevich, Alarcon, Corda; Linares; Graciani, Watson, Lodico; Rodriguez, Martinez
We say: River Plate 2-0 Instituto
River's last three games at El Monumental have ended in one-goal victories, and while Demichelis's men may not be blowing teams away, they should secure a routine win over Instituto.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
